[testifying before the Knapp Commission Through my appearance here today . . . I hope that police officers in the future will not experience . . . the same frustration and anxiety that I was subjected to . . . for the past five years at the hands of my superiors . . . because of my attempt to report corruption. I was made to feel that I had burdened them with an unwanted task. The problem is that the atmosphere does not yet exist . . . in which an honest police officer can act . . . without fear of ridicule or reprisal from fellow officers. Police corruption cannot exist unless it is at least tolerated . . at higher levels In the department. Therefore, the most important result that can come from these hearings . . . is a conviction by police officers that the department will change. In order to ensure this . . . an independent, permanent investigative body . . . dealing with police corruption, like this commission, is essential.
More from Serpico
Frank Serpico What's this for? For bein' an honest cop? Hmm? Or for being stupid enough to get shot in the face? You tell them that they can shove it.
Frank Serpico The reality is that we do not wash our own laundry - it just gets dirtier.
Frank Serpico You stupid ****! You didn't know me? You fired without a warning, without a **** brain in your head? Oh, shit. If I buy one, mother****er, I ain't buying it from you.
Serpico
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